Caleb Leadership Center

The HCDF is ensuring the success of the projects by preparing the next generation of leaders. HCDF prepares the graduates of its educational programs to return to the community in leadership roles. Today the entire administrative operations of HCDF’s ministries in Fond-des-Blancs are in the hands of indigenous leaders. The current vision for the HCDF ministry is replication — building on the experiences in Fond-des-Blancs and replicating this model in other neglected communities.

The vision for the Caleb Leadership Center is for Jean Thomas to mentor a group of six potential young leaders as they plant Churches and engage in holistic community development for their respective communities. These young leaders will be in residence at the L’Exode campus Caleb Leadership Center in Fond-des-Blancs where they will attend theological, community development, English, and management courses for three days each week. The other four days will be spent in their respective communities where they will be laying the foundation for new church plants with a vision of holistic ministry, as they have learned from the Fond-des-Blancs model. A new cycle of educational classes and practical implementations with new students begins every three years.

The Story of Caleb

Caleb is one of the less celebrated heroes of the exodus from Egypt and conquest of Canaan. Everyone knows Joshua even though Caleb and Joshua traveled the same roads. Caleb and Joshua were the two out of ten spies to believe in the promise that in spite of intimidating giants, the Lord would give them the Promised Land.

He was a fine lieutenant under the leadership of Joshua in the conquest of Canaan. But when victory was secured and a time of rest had finally come for the children of Israel, Caleb was still feeling a little frisky! He was eighty-five years old, the oldest of all those who left Egypt with Moses. He had earned a well-deserved rest — a nice meadow by a still water. Having surveyed all the prime real estate in the land, Caleb came to Joshua to claim the promise made to him by Moses (Jos 14:9). He said to Joshua, ‘’Give me that mountain” (Jos 14:12).

Jean Thomas said recently…

“I am nowhere near eighty-five, so I am nowhere near retirement. The last twenty-five years have had their challenges in Fond-des-Blancs, but I am eternally grateful for the journey that the Lord has called me to travel for the sake of His kingdom and for our supporter’s companionship throughout that journey. There is so much more that remains to be done and with the Lord’s help, I hope we’ll be able to reach more life for Christ.”

Current Caleb Leadership Center Students (click on images for a short bio)…